FreshGauge

FreshGauge is a mobile app (with a lightweight web dashboard for partners) that helps shoppers pick better produce by turning messy freshness signals into a simple score. Users scan a produce label/PLU, receipt, or shelf tag and get: typical harvest-to-shelf time for that store/region, how long it will likely last at home, and the best storage method. It also flags common “looks fresh but isn’t” traps (e.g., waxed apples, rehydrated greens) and suggests swaps when an item is likely to spoil fast. The app learns from user feedback (“went bad in 2 days”) to improve predictions per store and season. It’s not magic: it won’t identify exact harvest dates reliably, but it can materially reduce waste and disappointment by using probabilistic models, store-level patterns, and crowdsourced outcomes.